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Christmas is humanity's way of recognizing the birth of
Christ. Naturally, this would make the celebration of
Christmas our way of remembering Jesus' birthday. On the
surface, birthdays are for cake, presents, and
celebrations. We check all these blocks each Christmas,
don't we? Presents are given to all our friends and loved
ones; cookies are baked with care for those we want to share
the season with. We endure way too many office parties,
neighborhood get-togethers and church programs. But
birthdays are also a time for reflection; not just for the
day of birth, but for all the accomplishments, milestones,
and triumphs of the life we recognize.
Think about a child's first birthday: the first cake, first
milestone.
Sixteen: the driver's license.
Twenty-one: legal age.
Now, ponder those who have walked this earth much longer
than we.
Eighty, ninety, even one hundred years of age: oh, the
wisdom of a
life long lived. So much to impart on the next generation!
Let's draw that connection back to the thought of Jesus. The
Messiah, our Savior. The One who was, and is, and is to
come!
We need only look in Scripture to read the ways He has been
foreshadowed in the Old Testament, how He walked among us
two thousand years ago, and how He will be the path to our
victory in the future. How much more we have to celebrate
than his manger-laying scene. The spiritual milestones we
have in Christ Jesus are simply overwhelming. The reason for
celebration, remembrance, and giving is precious.
We have victory unspeakable to celebrate!
This Christmas, I have a challenge for us all. Each time we
see a babe in a manger, whether a plastic participant in
yard art, designed on the front of a card, depicted in an
ornament, or involved in a church scene, let us be reminded
of our victory. Praise God for His gift of eternal
salvation. Jump for joy that we are not merely celebrating
a baby's birth. You don't have to wait until spring's empty
tomb display to celebrate the triumph we have through
Jesus! Let that vision of the child transform into the
victorious Savior within your spirit. May you shine the
light that comes from Him ever brightly...bringing hope to
those who cannot see His role as Redeemer.
Rejoice!
Jennifer Devlin, Author
"Verses We Know by Heart: Discovering the
Details of Familiar Old Testament Passages"
(Randall House, 2008)
"Life Principles for Christ-like Living"
(AMG Publishers, 2006)
www.ministryforlife.com
jennifer@ministryforlife.com
Jennifer Devlin is a speaker and author
of "Verses We Know by Heart: Discovering the Details of Old
Testament Passages" and "Life Principles for Christ-like
Living." You can find out more about her via her Ministry
for Life website at
www.ministryforlife.com.
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